1. User Guide
  2. Preventative Maintenance
  3. Cleaning the Printer
  4. Clean Print Platform

Clean Print Platform

You must clean the print platform after each use. This section assumes you have already taken steps in the Post-Processing Guide to remove the printed part from the print platform. 

CAUTION: Do not clean the print platform in a sink or tub that drains into wastewater. This component must be cleaned in a self-contained tub and the resulting solvent/material mix must be discarded according to all local, state, and federal regulations.

WEAR 100% nitrile gloves throughout this procedure.

 

  1. Use the punch tool to punch out any bits of supporting architecture that may have been left inside the holes. Punch in a column, going up an down until you have run the punch tool through every hole. See the punching pattern below for reference.

punch-tool-pattern.gif

 scrape-supports-(2).jpg
  1. Use the Platform Scraper to scrape cured material off the underside of the print platform. If you are running an elastomeric material such as ELAST-BLK 10, please see the section below, Special Consideration for Elastomeric Materials.
 clean-print-plat-dental-tool.jpg
  1. Put the platform-cleaning fixture in a tub with IPA. Place the print platform on the fixture, being sure it is submerged in the solvent, and use the punch tool up and down on the platform once more, as you did in Step 1.

print-platform-stand.jpg

Platform-cleaning fixture

 clean-print-plat-ipa.jpg
  1. Wipe down the platform with a lint-free paper towel or nonabrasive cloth.
 wipe-with-paper-towel.gif
  1. Inspect the platform, particularly the holes on the flat surface, to ensure no partially cured material remains. If you find material or partially cured bits on the platform at this point, follow the steps in this section again on the problem areas.
  2. Allow the platform sufficient time to dry. Use compressed air to speed up this process, if desired.

Your print platform is now clean and ready to be reused.

 inspect-platform.gif

Special Consideration for Elastomeric Materials

For cleaning print platforms that run elastomeric materials such as ELAST-BLK 10, your printer package includes a Wire Brush. The following instructions demonstrate how to use this brush.

  1. Use the Platform Scraper to remove as much partially cured material as you can.
 remove-elast-partially-cured.gif
  1. Identify all areas of the platform with partially cured material and use the Wire Brush to scrape off as much as possible.
 use-wire-brush-no-solvent.gif
  1. Turn the print platform over and use the Wire Brush to scrape all areas that have partially cured material.
 use-wire-brush-no-solvent-top.gif
  1. Place the print platform in solvent and use the Part-Cleaning Brush to clear away areas of any remaining material.
 use-part-cleaning-brush.gif
  1. While in solvent, use the Wire Brush to scrape the remaining partially cured material from the platform.
 use-wire-brush-in-solvent.gif
  1. Wipe down the platform with a lint-free paper towel or nonabrasive cloth.
 wipe-with-paper-towel.gif
  1. Inspect the platform, particularly the holes on the flat surface, to ensure no partially cured material remains. If you find material or partially cured bits on the platform at this point, follow the steps in this section again on the problem areas.
  2. Allow the platform an hour to dry. Use compressed air to speed up this process, if desired.

Your print platform is now clean and ready to be reused.

 inspect-platform.gif